The 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference brought together women from across the poultry, egg and agriculture industries for conversations centered on leadership, professional growth, resilience and the importance of supporting one another. From navigating burnout and building a professional reputation to finding mentorship and creating space for the next generation of women leaders, the conference reinforced the value of confidence, connection and community at every stage of a career.

Kicking off the conference, Kim Rice, vice president of food safety and quality at Rose Acre Farms, discussed the growing influence of women in agriculture and the importance of expanding leadership opportunities across the industry. With approximately 1.2 million female producers in the United States, Rice encouraged attendees to build on that momentum by supporting and advocating for other women through mentorship, professional development and trusted networks. She challenged attendees to say “yes” to opportunities, invest in one another and help create meaningful pathways for women to succeed in agriculture.

Lisa Burdick, head of human resources, safety and operational excellence at Pilgrim’s, addressed building high-performance teams while moving beyond burnout. Nearly every hand in the room went up when she asked who had experienced burnout or witnessed its effects, underscoring the widespread challenge. Burdick discussed the additional pressures women leaders often face and emphasized that sustainable leadership and healthy boundaries are critical to long-term performance. “Boundaries are not barriers. They are guardrails,” she said, encouraging leaders to protect their time, energy and focus while modeling healthy practices for their teams.

Two panel discussions, “Building Personal Brand and Reputation” and “Successes, Setbacks and Comebacks,” offered practical perspectives on navigating career growth, leadership and professional challenges. Panelists encouraged attendees to take chances, step outside their comfort zones and intentionally build a reputation rooted in authenticity, consistency and accountability. The panelists and moderators emphasized that professional growth often requires strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and an ability to read the room and recognize the right time to raise an issue or pursue an opportunity. The discussions also highlighted the importance of giving and receiving honest feedback, setting boundaries and staying true to personal values. When setbacks occur, panelists encouraged attendees not to view rejection as the end of the road, noting that a missed opportunity can ultimately lead to a better fit. Above all, attendees were reminded to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, give themselves grace during demanding seasons and remain open to the opportunities that can shape their careers.